PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin’ program proves no distance is too far for love

Nonprofit animal welfare organization PetSmart Charities is dedicated to saving the lives of as many homeless pets as possible. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through their adoption program. The Rescue Waggin’ program is one of the many ways the organization is saving pets’ lives across the country.

“The Rescue Waggin’ is an extension of our adoption program and unites animal shelters from across the nation in an effort to avoid euthanizing healthy, adoptable dogs,” PetSmart Charities media relations manager Steve Pawlowski explains.

Since its inception in 2004, the PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin’ program has saved the lives of over 60,000 dogs and puppies by transporting adoptable animals from shelters in communities where there are more homeless pets than adopters to communities where adoptable dogs and puppies are in high demand. The Rescue Waggin’ vehicle travels as much as 3,000 miles per week in order to move pets to locations where they will have the greatest chance of finding their forever homes. Pets transported through the Rescue Waggin’ program tend to get adopted very quickly, PetSmart Charities has found.

Take Izzy, for example, one of the many Rescue Waggin’ progam success stories. Not long after the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle transported Izzy from a shelter where she had little hope of ever finding a family, Izzy met her perfect match — her new owners, Jim and Kerry Kelly.

“The day I met Izzy, she immediately jumped into my lap,” Kelly remembers. “There’s an emotional bond you develop with a dog; we have the perfect chemistry, and to have a dog in your life is a way of life.”

Heather Miller couldn’t help but fall in love with another alum of the Rescue Waggin’ program, Kane, after taking one look at her new dog’s eyes.

“Kane was born hundreds of miles away, but he’s now part of our family,” says Miller. “To be able to provide a home to a rescue dog is very important and good for our souls.”

Today, viewers will be able to follow the stories of these two incredible rescue dogs in a short documentary from PetSmart Charities about their Rescue Waggin’ program. Take a look at this 30-second clip:

“We created this film to show the world how our Rescue Waggin’ program gives pets like Izzy and Kane a second chance,” says Pawlowski. “They are just two of the more than 400,000 pets we save every year.”

For more information about PetSmart Charities, the Rescue Waggin’ program, or how you can help save the lives of homeless pets, visit www.petsmartcharities.org today.